The 1850's can be described as a “prelude to the Civil War.” In the mournful annals of Civil War battles, Kansas places forward of Idaho and Colorado, but behind Missouri and Tennessee. Three occurrences during that time that would support that conclusion are the Westward Movement, the Compromise of 1850. The Kansas / Nebraska Act are the most significant prelude to the Civil War. The United States was doubled in size giving the United States control of vast lands west of the Mississippi. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 after President Thomas Jefferson was acquired. The issue of slavery came to the forefront as Americans pushed west and they had to decide whether or not the new territories should be slave-states or free. In 1848, California was acquired and in 1850 became the 31st state. However, California was divided by this line and half of the state occupies the free area while the other half was in the slave territory. |
Post new comment